Trump Celebrates Renovation of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

President Donald Trump recently celebrated the completion of a significant project in Washington, D.C.: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s renovation.

On Saturday, he shared on his Truth Social platform, announcing, “All work is complete!” He included a photo of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum inspecting the pool’s new deep blue surface before clean water was added.

This iconic tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, which opened in 1922, has struggled with functionality for over a century. Back in April, Trump revealed his decision to renovate it, spurred by a comment from a friend visiting from Germany who noticed the pool’s murky water.

He pointed out that the various stones lining the bottom were not designed to stay submerged for long periods.

The Biden administration had estimated that refurbishing the pool would cost around $301 million and take three to three-and-a-half years, primarily due to the need for replacing the original stonework.

However, Trump, equipped with his background in real estate and pool construction, opted for a quicker and much cheaper solution. He reached out to a contact in the swimming pool industry for assistance in cleaning, grouting, and applying an industrial-grade lining to prevent leaks and maintain cleanliness.

Interestingly, he chose a shade dubbed “American Flag Blue” for the coating at the pool’s base.

Ultimately, rather than the anticipated $300 million-plus, the renovation wound up costing about $13 million. Remarkably, the entire project was wrapped up in less than two months.

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME with The Trump Promenade at The Lincoln Memorial, and The Triumphal Arch, which will be, along with the White House Ballroom, when completed, the Greatest Structure in Washington,” Trump stated.

The newly announced promenade will create a pedestrian connection between the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River, fulfilling a vision set forth by Senator James McMillan in the 20th century, often referred to as the McMillan Plan.

Construction of the White House ballroom is also underway, aiming for completion by 2028, before the end of Trump’s term. He has expressed his intention for future administrations to host presidential inaugurations in that space.